Not all e-cig tanks and all e-liquids are mutually compatible. Some combos can be detrimental to the stability of your electronic cigarette and your health. You may have been mixing e-liquids for years and handling spills, refilling tanks, and the whole nine yards, but some e-liquids stored in some tanks can cause the latter to crack or melt. While there are only a small number of juices that can cause this damage to plastic tanks, it is best to follow this guide and possibly change your tank from plastic to glass. In case you have a plastic tank in your e-cig, read on:
Overview
Plastic tanks are made from polycarbonate plastic material. The components in some e-juice flavors may damage polycarbonate, so investing in glass e-cig tanks is the best way to go. Citric acid and malic acid used in fruit-flavored e-liquids and juices that have cinnamon-based flavors are the ones likeliest to damage plastic tanks. Check online for lists on these specific e-liquids to be sure.
Effects
If spills occur, clean up carefully and thoroughly too. This should be accomplished not just to prevent damage to the e-cig components, but to reduce the chances of nicotine and other chemicals seeping into your body through skin absorption. Wipe off surfaces well, wash clothes thoroughly, and throw away paper towels or rags if these have come into contact with spilled e-liquid.
Alternatives
While polycarbonate plastic is mostly food-safe, some strong acids or bases can affect its structural integrity and damage it considerably down the road. If you like fruit-flavored juices such as orange and pineapple e-liquids, replace your plastic tank. Spills can happen without you noticing it, and again consider the hazard of e-cig leakage on affected materials or surfaces such as your clothes and skin. PETG is a more advanced type of plastic that is also used in the manufacture of e-cig tanks. Negative chemical reactions are far less likely to happen with this type of container.
With that said, a glass tank is not always absolutely required, but much safer if you plan to use strong acidic or cinnamon based flavors, as well as if you wish to keep the hardware for a longer period. Glass tanks can be washed and re-used many times, only needing to replace the atomizer, while polycarbonate plastics will not last and eventually scratch and contaminate, requiring replacement.
The easiest alternative would be to use traditional e-cigs and cartridges instead. They present a more convenient approach while removing many of the downsides, inconveniences and risks presented with e-juice bottles and tanks.
Be Aware
Fruit flavors usually contain malic acid and/or citric acid in high amounts. Banana, lime, lemon, grape, grapefruit, pineapple, and other fruit flavors may break the tank. As cinnamon flavors are high in alkaline, these can destroy polycarbonate tanks too. Although the damage to polycarbonate e-cig tanks doesn’t typically happen overnight, damage can happen especially if left unnoticed. Don’t take the risk; change from a polycarbonate tank to a PETG or glass tank for your electronic cigarette.